The Downbeat - 29 July 2010 - #282 - The Bizarro Jazz Edition
by Basketball John on Jul 29, 2010 9:46 AM MDT
in The Downbeat
48 comments
Al Jefferson returns to his high school in Prentiss, MS where they renamed the court after him,
[Note by Basketball John, 07/29/10 9:49 AM MDT ] Looks like UTonganKidinCali found this last night as well and posted it on a FanShot.
Some highlights,
- His message to the kids in the camp is that they can achieve their goals no matter where they're from.
- He considers playing with the Jazz a new beginning and is looking forward to playing for a playoff contender.
- Feels that Deron, Sloan, and the Jazz offense will take his game to a whole new level.
- When asked about what he brings that Carlos Boozer didn't, he replies that it's not necessarily what Boozer didn't bring but what the system did for the likes of Malone and Boozer and hopes it will do the same for him.
- Talks about Sloan coaching his 1,000th game against the TWolves.
- Thinks Sloan will bring out the monster or beast in him.
- His biggest goal is to not only get to the playoffs but to win.
It's too bad that the Jazz will only play the Bulls twice next season. According to Kevin Arnovitz from TH, Chicago should run the flex given their players,
What kind of personnel are we talking about? What skills does a player need to have as part of his game to be an effective player in that system? The simplest way to define the qualities of a good flex player is the ability to multitask. In the flex, each player on the floor is a screener and a screenee, a passer and a cutter, a guy who can make plays in a variety of ways by instantaneously reading the defense. Ballstoppers and early-shot-clock freelancers need not apply.
You have Boozer and Brewer starting who obviously know the flex. Korver comes off the bench. He then explains why Noah and Deng specifically are perfect for the flex. Rose should fit in with it as well.
If Corbin was there, there's no doubt that's what would be run. It would be interesting to see the Bizarro Jazz run the flex against their former teammates. It's almost like the training camp scrimmage as Boozer/Brewer/Korver on one team with Millsap/Bell/CJ on the other. Put in Deron/Rose and Jefferson/Noah and you're all set.
When the schedule comes out next week, those will be the first games I'm looking for.
So after a losers and winners column, Hollinger put up an off-season survivors (insider) spot,
The Jazz, however, put themselves arguably in better position than they were last season with a couple of brilliant saves. First, they executed a trade for Minnesota big man Al Jefferson that cost them relative peanuts. Jefferson not only fills Boozer's position, it also shores up a potential hole left by Mehmet Okur (Achilles injury) and allows Paul Millsap to move to a starting gig at power forward.
On the wings, the Jazz drafted Gordon Hayward and signed veteran wing (and one-time Jazz) Raja Bell to a three-year deal. It's unlikely that they'll replace the production that Korver and Matthews delivered last season, but they cost a fraction of the money and allow the Jazz to stay competitive without a burdensome payroll. As a result, Utah sidestepped a potentially ravaging summer and is in good position to make further upgrades once Andrei Kirilenko's $17 million anchor comes off the cap after next season.
I think Bell and Al will replace the production that Matthews and Boozer did. Hayward won't shoot 50% from three but could be a benefactor of the elbow jumper that KK and Harpring had. We didn't expect Matthews to even make the team last season at this point in the year, let alone start, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities for Hayward to be a contributor off the bench.
I like the facade of the new Jazz season ticket holder club that's being built at the ESA. I won't see the inside for a while though.
They're also going to be expanding the Fanzz store on the main floor which is a welcome addition. If you've ever been in there, it's pretty tight and not the good tight.
Thursday poll,
0 recs |
48 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
The Poll
The fact that Double Dribble was one of the options on the poll has made my day. I played the crap out of that on my Nintendo.
I also loved it - "WuWuh WuWuh" we called it, thanks to its awesome speaking voice
I had a hard time deciding whether Double Dribble or church ball was technically my highest level of basketball play. I mean they’re both the pinnacle of different types of basketball experiences.
Kind of like deciding whether Chile Verde or Twinkies are the pinnacle of humanity’s eating experience.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
1. I like Big Al more every day
2. FlexaBull?
8. The Jazz better not get voted off the island
4. Looks like it will now be the good tight
5. High School ball – NS Wolves
Okay, I"m Central Utah Illiterate
NS High School = … North Sevier?
GVHS = … Grand Valley HS?
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
1. At least we can be sure that Al interviewed on camera >> Boozer interviewed on camera. I’ve really liked what Al has said and how he says things in every interview since the trade.
2. I’m really looking forward to watching the Bulls. There are some pretty big questions that they may be able to answer: a) How good would the Jazz have been with a strong defensive/hustle center backing up and filling in for Boozer’s deficiencies here? b) How much of an impact does Sloan have on his players’ and teams’ success, and c) How awesome is Deron? How much better does he make his teammates?
8. Right now they have to be considered survivors.
Al = Boozer. Good scoring abilities, lousy defense. Boozer has superior passing and screening skills. Al has height and upside. Add it all up and the total scores are the same.
Raja = Wesley. Both good defense, basketball IQ, and role-player scoring. Wesley has more hustle and faster. Raja has better nastiness and leadership. Add it all up and the total scores are the same.
KK = Hayward. Same idea. Total up their strengths and weaknesses and their total scores are the same.
So it appears the Jazz are going to be about the same as they were. No improvement. No big regression either.
What’s exciting is the possibilities that the moves may become better as time goes on. Pre-Jazz/pre-25 Al >> pre-Jazz/pre-25 Boozer. So there’s a possibility that Al will become a much, much better and more complete player that Boozer ever was. I expect that the Jazz will miss Wesley’s hustle. I also believe Wesley will get better and peak in 2-3 years, whereas Raja is who he is. But I also believe that Raja’s leadership, nastiness, vocal-ness are more needed by this team than what Wesley contributed. I also think Hayward + Sloan is a perfect match that will make him a really good (and possibly great) player—much more than KK could ever be.
4. Someday I’ll see that stuff in person. Someday.
5. I finally decided my Church Ball career was more impressive than my Double Dribble career.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
Supreme lifetime champion of Office Trashketball.
Blame where you must, be candid where you can, And be each critic the Good-natured Man. - Oliver Goldsmith (Excellent advice)
Go Jazz! Go Hogs! GO BILLS!
Church Ball All-star baby!
I lived/live for church ball. My saturdays during the teen years were spent waking up and spending all day balling. I just stayed and played with other teams that didn’t have enough guys. Luckily, I never had a serious injury from playing church ball. Though I almost always got home with a few bruises, cuts, and jammed digits.
1. I love how positive Al is. SOOOOO refreshing. He’ s making me more and more exciting.
2. The Bulls can suck it. I cheer only for the Jazz! and who ever is playing the Lakers or the Heat!
8. I think we’ve improved. The financial reason alone is an improvement. We got younger while staying just as competitive that’s a HUGE plus. We will also have some wiggle room next year to make other moves. I think we are in a good position to have a young core for years to come.
4. Someday I will get season tickets….
For the Love of the Game
Stockton to Malone- The perfect combination!!
"I think he just said, 'Oh my Gosh,' or whatever they say in Provo."- ESPN talking about QB. Max Hall after BYU defeated third ranked Oklahoma (2009).
MonSTARZ forever!
One time during a church ball game...
I saw a guy go up for a rebound and when he landed he broke his tibia (shin bone). We played in one of the carpeted gyms and I’ll never forget the crack his leg made when landed. He was 18 and playing the young men’s tournament. He was easily the best player on his team and maybe in the whole tournament. My team played his team in the next round of the tournament and we rolled through them and the rest of the tournament.
Nice
Just a few months ago in a morning pick up game one of the bishops in our stake had his eye socket fractured from an elbow. It made the nastiest sound and his eye looked like it was going to ooooooooze out for weeks. Crazy shiz!
For the Love of the Game
Stockton to Malone- The perfect combination!!
"I think he just said, 'Oh my Gosh,' or whatever they say in Provo."- ESPN talking about QB. Max Hall after BYU defeated third ranked Oklahoma (2009).
MonSTARZ forever!
I had a buddy in college who that happened to
you could see the bump on his shin where they put a screw in to fix it
where's the Jr. Jazz option on the poll?
I didn’t see it on there, so I figured NBA All-Star was the next step down.
I think
Rec leagues is supposed to be Jr. Jazz etc/
For the Love of the Game
Stockton to Malone- The perfect combination!!
"I think he just said, 'Oh my Gosh,' or whatever they say in Provo."- ESPN talking about QB. Max Hall after BYU defeated third ranked Oklahoma (2009).
MonSTARZ forever!
Odd that there is one vote for NBA
I figure anyone joking around would select NBA All-Star. Could this mean there is actually someone with NBA experience here??
Follow me on twitter @JD23UT
I "played" in college
Freshman year: made team, never got playing time
Soph year: started two games (because of injury), got injured myself 3 games after my last start
I was not very good. And this was at college in Canada, so, it wasn’t NCAA Div I or anything.
Aside from that Midnight bball tournament I was part of, and we won it, I now relegate myself to “Old Guy” leagues at the YMCA where the fouls to FGM ratio is like 8:1
Follow me on Twitter: AllThatAmar
Check out: slcdunk.com
E-Mail me at: allthatjazzbasketball@hotmail.com
Really, I'm totally not lonely or anything . . .
by AllThatJazzBasketball on Jul 29, 2010 3:05 PM MDT reply actions
The biggest thing Al brings which is refreshing post-booz is straight talk.
You watch Karl Malone interview and Al Jefferson, they both love their home towns, humble and talk straight. Going from a guy who constantly put his foot in his mouth and never knowing what he really felt to a guy who tells it like it is, has to be one of the best things Big Al will bring to our team.
Actually, I think that is why there was so much hate 4 boozer, we never got straight talk. That’s why I believe this team will be better than the previous one. Now we have a team that is dedicated to the team not individual numbers etc. Personalities and a common goal will drive this team farther than any team we have known as Jazz fans because for the first time we have a roster full of team guys who have heart.
by UtonganKidInCali on Jul 29, 2010 5:16 PM MDT reply actions
Semi-Pro level here
For the Aussies, I played SEABL/CBA. Was only ever 10th man, but got a few minutes thanks to injury/ 3 game in a weekend road trips.
In Australia we have a Club system. As a Junior you play Club ball, and from that they select regional/State teams. Then there’s the CBA and the NBL as the ‘pro’ pathway, or you play Mens/Women’s Club. Now I just play rec league, and every 5 games or so my body remembers how to play and I tear Ish up.
Possibly the southernmost Jazz fan in the world!
Twitter: @Texas
Just saw Mike James...
says he wants to play for the jazz, what yall think?
Dude is 35
He has only had one season in the last 4 years over 33 games. I’d rather not.
I’d rather resign Gaines or pick someone else up. Third seat PGs are a dime a dozen and I think there are better options than Mike James.
For the Love of the Game
Stockton to Malone- The perfect combination!!
"I think he just said, 'Oh my Gosh,' or whatever they say in Provo."- ESPN talking about QB. Max Hall after BYU defeated third ranked Oklahoma (2009).
MonSTARZ forever!
Mike James
I’m sure he’d like to play with any NBA team, since it’s unlikely anyone will pick him up, he is at the end of the road in his playing career.
As for the poll question – NBA 2k10 all star
Yeah Im secretly holding out hope for...
Rafer Alston, he would be a great back up PG and is still available
I'd so much rather just stick with Ronnie P.
Than rely on Skip-to-my-Lou.
But that’s just me.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
Nerf Champ
1. I hope he has a fire in him and isn’t just happy with getting to the playoffs.
2. Bulls will be interesting. I don’t see that team any better than the Jazz. I wouldn’t have pictured Korver, Brewer and Booze being buddies and going wherever the other one goes. But the NBA is a business..
8. I think placing them as a survivor instead of a winner is fair. I disagree but it is fair.
4. That ol’ Fanzz store was so tight I got my hernia pushed back in, mugged, mugged someone else, and had 3 guys rub up on me all while I just went in there to get change for a $20.
5. HS Varsity, tried walking on to Utah State but only lasted to the gym then I chickened out. But when it comes to Nerf, I show no mercy. Some of the trickiest shots you will ever see came on my Nerf hoop set.
Next poll ideas:
What current Jazz members have you met?
What size is your shoe?
In your prime, what’s the closest to dunking you have gotten?
How many 3-pointers have you made in a row?
What is Fesenko’s home town?
If you could hunt one animal with Karl Malone what would it be?
Where is John Stockton now?
What about Millsap?
I think the Jazz are still winners. I agree that KK=Hayward and Matthews=Bell, but I think Millsap will replace most of Boozer’s numbers and Jefferson is going to be the fill in for Memo, which alone improves the team quite a bit.
There are 16 who played in the NBA All Stars here?!!
Holy
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
well, there are something like 20 mark eatons here
according to the previous poll, and mark eaton was an all-star, so it totally makes sense.
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on SLC Dunk
Related FanShots on SLC Dunk
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
